Hmm, to put everybody on an even playing field I think I shouldn't... some folks may not be working in photoshop.

I think this is a good decision. I work in Photoshop, and while a PSD file might be handy, it also circumvents some of the process, and so could give an unfair advantage. I'm sure everyone will be able to come up with something in the time though, and I look forward to seeing what everyone else creates

There's the risk version of this map. Our old map looked similar, but different enough imo. But alas.. the big boys thought differently. Anyway - you can maybe draw inspiration from the "feel" of this map anyway. Obviously too much detail for our computer screen resolutions, but nevertheless, a sweet map!

Some prefer to work in small since you avoid the hassle of going back in and trying to make everything fit when you scale down, but as this is a competition you my achieve greater visual impact with the large. Your call.

edbeard wrote:unfortunately in these competitions, doing the small has no benefit. other people's maps will look better because they are large and any possible complications from downsizing the map will be ignored.

I personally find it quite silly that everyone is not forced to make the small version since this is what we're told the majority of the people on CC use.

Really? I hate the small versions. I prefer the clarity of using a full-sized map, and always considered the small maps to be scaled-down thumbnail versions for people with tiny screens. Saved screen space in exchange for loss of detail and aesthetics.

edbeard wrote:unfortunately in these competitions, doing the small has no benefit. other people's maps will look better because they are large and any possible complications from downsizing the map will be ignored.

I personally find it quite silly that everyone is not forced to make the small version since this is what we're told the majority of the people on CC use.

I totally agree with this - I would love to see everyone have to make the small map, but unless it is a requirement, then you would be disadvantaging yourself by doing so.

I always use the small maps (yes, even for my 100s of games on Waterloo, supermax etc etc)... as I find most of the large maps too spread out to easily gauge different player's drop density (where they are positioned most etc)...

edbeard wrote:unfortunately in these competitions, doing the small has no benefit. other people's maps will look better because they are large and any possible complications from downsizing the map will be ignored.

I personally find it quite silly that everyone is not forced to make the small version since this is what we're told the majority of the people on CC use.

Really? I hate the small versions. I prefer the clarity of using a full-sized map, and always considered the small maps to be scaled-down thumbnail versions for people with tiny screens. Saved screen space in exchange for loss of detail and aesthetics.

I believe the last time we had the stats shared - only 10% of users had the Large map set as default...

Of course that doesn't count the people that don't have it set to default and select it each time!!

But I can't imagine that is 40% of people?!

Note - this is a similar reason as to why we aren't allowed to use larger maps etc.

Speaking as a mapmaker and not as CA, can I mention that the connectivity is whack on the Centrescape/Middle Earth map? So many impassable barriers - mountains, rivers, ocean - it's a bitch to make it fit over anything else!

oaktown wrote:Speaking as a mapmaker and not as CA, can I mention that the connectivity is whack on the Centrescape/Middle Earth map? So many impassable barriers - mountains, rivers, ocean - it's a bitch to make it fit over anything else!

Yep... I'm encountering that problem right now....This will be interesting...

oaktown wrote:Speaking as a mapmaker and not as CA, can I mention that the connectivity is whack on the Centrescape/Middle Earth map? So many impassable barriers - mountains, rivers, ocean - it's a bitch to make it fit over anything else!

I agree with Oaktown on this one... I just cannot get the layout to fit onto my basemap on the idea I've tried to pull off...

Back to the drawing board...

PS... If you wanted to help advertise the foundry competitions, please free to sport the Competition Signature:

Same, though I'm on the other map. I started one rendition of Central America, had space issues when it came to certain provinces, and have started again from scratch - this is after tracing out all the borders lol. Thankfully though, the title and army circles don't have to be re-done hehehe. I'm loving the time critical nature of this comp

e_i_pi wrote:Same, though I'm on the other map. I started one rendition of Central America, had space issues when it came to certain provinces, and have started again from scratch - this is after tracing out all the borders lol. Thankfully though, the title and army circles don't have to be re-done hehehe. I'm loving the time critical nature of this comp

I think it would be fair to fudge the borders a bit in Central America in order to make things fit, much as was done with the Brazil competition. The key is keeping the gameplay the same, so if a territory isn't the exact shape as the original yet still has all of the same bordering territories I doubt anybody will notice.

e_i_pi wrote:Same, though I'm on the other map. I started one rendition of Central America, had space issues when it came to certain provinces, and have started again from scratch - this is after tracing out all the borders lol. Thankfully though, the title and army circles don't have to be re-done hehehe. I'm loving the time critical nature of this comp

I think it would be fair to fudge the borders a bit in Central America in order to make things fit, much as was done with the Brazil competition. The key is keeping the gameplay the same, so if a territory isn't the exact shape as the original yet still has all of the same bordering territories I doubt anybody will notice.

With all due respect oaktown, I'd like to keep the real world borders and regional boundaries as is I'm a bit surprised about the sea routes though, and the omission of Archipelago de las Perlas and Isla de Coiba (the islands south of Panama). I want to include them on my map, but I don't want to confuse people who may think they are territories